Pale-leaved Wood Sunflower

Flowering heads have from 8 to 15 ray flowers surrounding a central cluster of yellowish disc flowers. Involucral bracts are narrowly lance-shaped, and taper to a fine point. Leaves are broadly lance-shaped, and are arranged in pairs, except on the upper part of the stem, near the flowering heads, where they may attach individually. Leaves are up to 22 cm long by 6 cm wide, and have three prominent veins which emerge from a common point near the leaf base. The upper surface of the leaf is sandpaper-like, but stems are smooth. Leaf margins have inconspicuous teeth at intervals of 0.5 to 1.0 cm. Flowering heads occur in clusters that branch from the main stem. Found from July into September, in woodlands and woodland edges. Helianthus strumosus differs from H. tuberosus in having smooth rather than rough stems. Native to N. A.